IRI launches Shopper Insights Explorer

CHICAGO To make developing reports on shoppers’ habits quick and painless, Information Resources, Inc. has developed a web-based organizer to help businesses enhance their ability to analyze these circumstances, the company announced Thursday.

The information provider, utilized by healthcare and retail companies, said they developed Shopper Insights Explorer, a “decision solution” that provides comprehensive shopper information to help companies ascertain their customers’ lifestyles. Based on a number of attributes, including demographic and product purchases, companies that depend on this data to improve their business can do so without hassle.

The solution also makes it easy to use for clients by offering the organizer in several configurations designed to meet the needs of clients of all sizes and levels, making it quick and painless to develop reports on a retailer’s role in the marketplace.

Several companies already use the Shopper Insights Explorer, including confectionary giant Mars Snackfood U.S.

“Shopper Insights Explorer represents a true step change for the CPG industry,” according to Mars Snackfood U.S. “This capability has empowered Mars Snackfood U.S. to better understand consumer and shopper behavior in fundamentally new ways and turn those insights into benefits for our consumers and retail partners.”

FDA increases potency of levothyroxine products

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration is strengthening the potency specifications for levothyroxine sodium to ensure the drug retains its potency over its entire shelf life.

The agency is increasing the specifications from a 90 to 110 percent potency range to a 95 to 105 percent range. The percent ranges were changed following concerns about the product by healthcare professionals and patients.

Data taken by the FDA showed that some of the levothyroxine products like blister packs degrade quicker than other package types. Also, some of the strengths have been shown to degrade more rapidly than others.

Manufacturers and marketers have two years to comply with the revised specification. Levothyroxine sodium products are used by over 13 million patients.

FDA to review heart problems from osteoporosis drugs

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration is looking at new safety data on reports of atrial fibrillation in patients taking bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis. The FDA is looking into the issue after a study in the May 3rd issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported increased rates of serious atrial fibrillation in patients taking Fosamax and Reclast.

The FDA has performed an initial review and found that there was not a large enough group of people who were at risk for atrial fibrillation and would not as of right now ask for healthcare professionals to change their prescribing habits or to tell patients to change their use of the drugs.

The agency is seeking additional data to perform an in-depth review of the issue that could take up to one year to conclude.

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The workshops, sponsored by McKesson, have been offered by the Alexandria, Va.-based organization for more than 20 years and are slated to take place June 8-10 in Denver, Colo., and Oct. 4-6 in Boston.

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